Where human intelligence meets business strategy..
Category: Join The Conversation
When Brittany Herzberg invited me to be a guest on The Basic B Podcast, I knew we were going to have an incredible conversation. Digital communication is a two-way street, yet so many of us assume that because we hit send, the message was received as we intended.
And let’s be real—miscommunication is one of the fastest ways to damage relationships, both personally and professionally. That’s why I pulled out my magic wand 🪄 and tackled this topic head-on, making etiquette feel real and relevant.
Here’s one of the biggest gems from our chat:
Message Sent ≠ Message Received
Think about this: you send an email, expecting a response. A few days go by, and…nothing. Do you assume: A) They’re ignoring you? B) They didn’t receive it? C) They saw it but don’t know how to respond? D) Something else entirely?
Most people default to A: They’re ignoring me, and that’s where problems start. But here’s the truth: 👉 Sometimes emails never reach the recipient (yes, spam filters are still a thing). 👉 Sometimes people are at capacity and haven’t processed it yet. 👉 Sometimes your message wasn’t clear enough for them to know what action to take.
The Fix? Acknowledge & Clarify I always encourage people to acknowledge receipt of an email—even if you don’t have an answer yet. A simple “Got it! I’ll review and get back to you by [date]” eliminates frustration on both sides.
And for senders? Assume grace before frustration—people communicate differently, and it’s worth checking in with curiosity before assuming the worst.
More Digital Communication Etiquette Gems from the Podcast
In the episode, we also covered: ✅ Why clarity is king in digital spaces. ✅ Best practices for email autoresponders & handling spam. ✅ How to receive messages with more grace & curiosity. ✅ The best way to respond to negative reviews without damaging your reputation. ✅ A strategy to make being proactive part of your brand identity.
Final Thought: Your Reputation is Built on Communication
Your reputation and relationships should do the heavy lifting for you—opening doors you don’t even have to knock on. But that only happens when you’re intentional about how you communicate.
Your digital presence, relationships, and reputation should be assets—not obstacles. Let’s build your customized R & R Playbook so you can confidently show up as your best self.
In our quest to navigate business and social situations with grace, we often turn to etiquette as a solution. Etiquette helps us establish, nurture, and manage our relationships, fostering relatability, trust, and approachability. It guides us to lead with integrity, confidence, consistency, and authenticity.
However, as our technological capabilities have rapidly advanced, our understanding of etiquette, inclusion, and acceptance has not always kept pace. In today’s evolving landscape, being a savvy CEO requires us to broaden our perspectives when it comes to the etiquette of inclusion. We need to be more mindful and intentional about our approach to accessibility.
Etiquette has long been recognized as a powerful relationship building tool. Practicing good etiquette enhances our professional reputation, gains trust, shows respect to others, and creates an environment of mutual understanding and cooperation. It allows us to communicate effectively, navigate diverse social situations, and project a positive image for our business brand and our brand reputations.
On the other hand, accessibility plays a crucial role in fostering inclusivity within our organizations and beyond. By prioritizing accessibility, we ensure that our workplaces, products, and services are usable and welcoming to all individuals, regardless of their abilities.
Accessibility allows us to tap into the talents and inspiration of an under-served community, as well as, expand our customer base while demonstrating a commitment to social responsibility and empathy.
To truly excel in this entrepreneurial space, we need to combine the principles of etiquette and accessibility.
By doing so, we create a holistic approach to inclusion that encompasses not only interpersonal interactions but also the physical and digital spaces we operate in.
By understanding and implementing etiquette and accessibility principles, you can develop an etiquette inclusion plan for your business, one that fosters an environment of respect, accessibility, and success.
Importance of Accessibility and Etiquette for Businesses
Accessibility in business and social situations refers to the practice of creating an environment that is welcoming and inclusive to all individuals, regardless of their abilities or background. This means removing physical and systemic barriers that may prevent individuals from fully participating in social and professional settings. Accessibility can take many different forms, including having wheelchair ramps, assistive technologies, and providing alternate formats for information such as braille or audio descriptions. In addition to physical accommodations, accessibility also involves creating a culture of respect and inclusivity by using inclusive language and making efforts to address and accommodate individual needs.
So how does one improve on accessibility in business?
Create an Etiquette Inclusion Plan for your business. Feel free to use these 5 guidelines to get you started.
Conduct an accessibility audit. Review your digital spaces, physical spaces, and communication materials for areas in which you need to grow, as well as, praising your progress for where you glow.
Engage with accessibility experts. These partnerships can provide valuable insights, resources, education and support in developing and implementing an accessibility plan.
Provide clear & accessible communication tools. Learn to use closed captioning, sign language interpretation, and audio descriptions. Offering accessible documents, including text-to-speech and Braille options.
Ensure that websites, mobile applications, and even social media platforms utilize accessibility features.
Evaluate & Improve. Review your plan regularly. Be sure to consult with an expert and stay abreast of trends and best practices.
Practice Makes Progress.
Remember, creating an etiquette accessibility plan requires willingness, ongoing intention and deliberate action to adapt your business practices to remain inclusive and accessible.
By prioritizing accessibility in your physical spaces, digital platforms, communication practices, and interactions, you create an environment that truly fosters stronger relationships, enhances customer satisfaction, and opens doors to a broader audience.
Embrace the opportunity to lead the way in creating an entrepreneurial culture that values etiquette and accessibility, and watch as it positively impacts your reputation, growth, and overall success.
About Erin Perkins & Mabely Q
Erin Perkins (she/her)
Founder & CEO
I’m deafblind, though I can still hear with the help of my hearing aid & cochlear implant (without them, I’m profoundly deaf). I can see only 50 degrees… if you’re waving to me, and I don’t wave back…the chances are pretty high that I didn’t see or hear you!
I started Mabely Q under the guise of being an operations manager and graphic designer. It wasn’t until I worked with business owners and mentors that I realized how few actually understood what accessibility was. I pivoted and dove right into accessibility education.
I love that I get to teach businesses how to be accessible by leaning on my life experiences which I share with others to foster true inclusion at all levels, and also teaching in a way that feels good. My mission is to make the world more accessible one business at a time.
Want to dive in even further with Accessibility? You are a business that makes a positive impact in society. One that delivers a top notch customer experience and are ready to be accessible to all. Introducing Successible, a platform that jumpstarts your journey towards accessibility! It offers practical tips that gives you immediate improvements, and connects you with like-minded entrepreneurs on a similar path. Join Successible (a word play with success and accessible), and let’s start making an impact together!
Listen, the aftermath of this year’s Presidential Election will likely be overwhelming, no matter what side of the political aisle you align with.
The news cycle, social platforms and even your close conversations will likely be inundated with political conversations & theories. On top of all that we’ve been adjusting to in 2020, it could be another source of overwhelm, stress, and fatigue.
That’s why I want you to be prepared. Hey, I care about you. 2020 has been a rollercoaster ride magnifying the need for self care and inner peace protection.
And I don’t want any of my A-LIST friends falling prey to office or social pressures and guilt. Nor do I want you caught off guard by being put on the spot to engage and/or respond in professional situations.
It is OK to take a hard pass. You do not have to make room for this in your already trying to juggle it all, extra busy life. And I am happy to share with you a few best practices on how.
I am telling you that you have options, you have choice, you have power, and you have a responsibility…to you and your personal brand values. In this 60-second etiquette, check out 3 guilt-free options for passing on engaging politically and 3 ways to say you respectfully decline.
I hope, first, that you do choose to exercise your right to Vote! It’s needed friend. I also hope that you’ll be taking great care of yourself in the aftermath, using these 60-second etiquette tips:
